Whereas loads of us have been rooting for our favourite groups within the Overwatch League, a number of questions lingered in regards to the make-up of the aggressive league. After the Dallas Gas suspended and fined Felix “xQc” Lengyel for derogatory comments that breached the league’s code of conduct, what code gamers needed to really comply with was unclear.

Yesterday, nonetheless, esports journalist Richard Lewis leaked what he is calling the official Overwatch Rulebook, which outlines most of the stipulations and procedures gamers and groups should abide by with a view to be a part of the league.Wanting over the rulebook, there’s some commonplace stuff and a few not-so-standard stuff.

There are in fact, the must-haves: Gamers cannot endorse any type of tobacco, “hashish,” pornography, playing, firearms, alcohol, criminality, or endorse any political candidate. Utilizing obscene gestures throughout streams or matches, which can be a given, I suppose. There’s additionally a blanket coverage towards discrimination towards anybody for his or her race, faith, gender or gender determine, and so forth. Which once more: truthful. However a number of of the odder restrictions gamers, managers, coaches, and “different full-time workers of any crew” should conform to, nonetheless, embrace:

Not having the ability to stream with multiple different participant from the league (as doing so would represent, beneath the contract, taking part in as a part of a “crew”) with out the approval of the league.

Taking part in solely in a sport’s commonplace modes (no hopping into customized sport servers or utilizing cheats). This additionally applies to non-Activision Blizzard video games.

Not having the ability to use a reputation that references any Activision Blizzard character whereas taking part in non-Activision Blizzard video games.

Not having the ability to take part in any type of organized aggressive play for any sport.

Utilizing solely essentially the most up-to-date model of any sport they’re taking part in.

Not having the ability to “immediately or not directly endorse the taking part in or buy of any non-Activision Blizzard sport in any method.”

Not having the ability to criticize any Activision Blizzard video games or query the legitimacy of the Overwatch League or any of its matches.

We must always notice, nonetheless, that Lewis mentions the rule about a number of gamers streaming collectively has since been altered on account of participant suggestions.

One other stipulation of the league is that it owns the rights to its gamers’ likenesses and extra. In actual fact, the Overwatch League can create actuality reveals primarily based on particular person gamers or groups, and the gamers will not be given royalties. If a participant needs to dispute any a part of the settlement or facet of the League, they’re going to must settle it solely via arbitration with the League itself, and can’t interact in class-action fits of any sort.

We have reached out to Blizzard concerning the rulebook and can replace this text ought to they reply.

Our TakeContemplating the stakes of the Overwatch League (crew buy-ins measure in hundreds of thousands of ), it is not stunning to see it have such an iron grip on its gamers. However that does not imply it is good. As a lot as I’ve loved components of the League, there isn’t any denying it looks like one massive advert for Overwatch. In fact, many professional tournaments are, however with restrictions like these, it makes the League much less about ardour and extra about produce. Additionally, the likeness rights half is especially tough for gamers, as any breakout star from the League probably will not see royalties out any documentary or movie deal which may emerge.